Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-04-06

his scanty living, and the effort had beer
Igreater than ever of late. His small fac'
i regained its cid, half starved look as the
days passed on, but he bore himself bravelJ
in the presence of the girl for whom he was
sacrificing so much, and she never noticed
the change in him.
] She told him one morning that she should
not need him after that week, for the finish
dng touches were now. all that the painting
required. He received the news in silence,
and for the few remaining days went about
sadly, treasuriug up every careless word
that she uttered. His affection for Smut,
too, seemed to deepen as the week drew to
its close, and it was with passionate misery
| that he talked to the dog as he washed him
that Saturday morning.
'It amt COS don't love you, Smut" he
said, with sob. 'sYou know that, ole man,
don't you. And you won't forget me, will
you, Smut F? P'raps l shall see you in the
Street some day ole man. / shall come and
look at the 'euse CONSTANT
His little face was pale and set as he en-
tered the studio and there was a strained
look in the wide, blue eyes as he took his
place before the window. The light fell
softly upon the ragged figure, upon the
warm-tinted hair, the rigid features; and
the girl sitting near at hand saw it all, and
felt only an artistic pleasure in her model
His poverty, his wretchedness were nothing
to her; he had fulfilled the service she had
required of him, and wouldspass for ever
out of her life when he left her room o-day
"You said once as you felt lonesome at
times" he said, at last, his eyes fixed ear
uestly on the window.
eyes" she agreed, carelessly. SIT is
rather lonely up here"
He was silent again, looking steadily at
the little patch of sky visible above the roofs
of the houses opposite.
"Smut's very good dog" he continued
presently. "He amt pertickler, neither
anything as is agoin' does for Smut, and
he's that patient when you're out O. luck p
ale seems an inofensive little dog" she
allowed, glancing at the terrier as he lay
under the window. "Why, how white he
looks to-day ~ .e
"Been washed exclaimed the boy, brief
ly. "He's handsome dog, is Smut-when
he's clean"
''There, think 1 have done with you
now," she said after long silence. "You
have been very good boy, Tim, and the
picture is great success.
He descended from the platform slowly,
and stood twisting his cap in his hands,
'Yeu can keep him, if you l1ke," he said
awkwardly. "He's very good company,
Smut is
keep him?" she echoed carelessly.-
"But don't want him?"
mo-" he answered slowly. 'T-I'm
tired O. Smut
s'In that case he can stay" she returned
indifferently. 81 dare say he will not be
much trouble"
''He amt bit of trouble" said the boy
wistfully. "And he's very affectionate.
"Well, he can stay" she said. Sand
here's your money, Tim; quite large sum
now, isn't it?"
'I-I don't want it," he returned hastily,
81 said as how I'd ask fur it when l want
ed it."
'But you are not coming any more, you
know. have finished with you now."
81 amt got no place to put it to, " he said.
"Tm sure to lose it if 1 take it away"
"Well, call for it when you want it," she
suggested. "Then you can see Smut"
eyes" he echoed with a strange smile,
'then l shall see Smut
He took the dog in his arms and smooth
ed the rough, white coat with tender fingers.
''Smut knows as he's got to stay" he
said, placing the little creature on the floor.
"I'll call fur the money when l want it."
s'He stood in the doorway for moment,
taking a last, lingering look at the dog
trembling in the corner-at the girl as she
sat there, impatiently waiting for him to
go, and then with a short, dry sob, he weIt
slowly down the steep staircase and out into
the wintry street.--B. A. Key IN Longman's
Md1Qziue,